An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation that can be generated by nuclear weapons, specialized non-nuclear EMP weapons, or natural occurrences such as solar storms. An EMP attack would cause wide-ranging and damaging effects to the Nation’s electrical grid upon which our telecommunications, energy, and other infrastructure is dependent. As Americans’ reliance on electronics grows, our vulnerability to the EMP threat increases.

Tomorrow’s hearing will examine the nature of the threat and the consequences of an EMP attack. Members will have the opportunity to hear from Federal witnesses on their planning strategies and public/private partnerships to improve preparedness.

Lungren said: “The Washington D.C. area was recently impacted by a deadly fast moving storm called a derecho, which was one of the most destructive and deadly thunderstorm systems in North American history. It resulted in 22 deaths, widespread damage and millions of power outages from the Midwest to the Middle Atlantic States. This derecho provides a glimpse of the destruction that could be unleashed by an electromagnetic pulse attack where our digitally-dependent economy and military would be severely degraded. As America’s digital dependence grows, our vulnerability increases to the EMP threat. Our hearing will examine the consequences of an EMP attack and whether we’re adequately protecting our critical infrastructure from this growing vulnerability.”

Mr. Michael A. Aimone
Director
Business Enterprise Integration
Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Installations
Office of Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
Department of Defense